Everything is bigger in Texas—especially the feuds. Philadelphia-based emo band Sweet Pill learned this lesson on the road. The “Sunblind” musicians are currently traveling across the country as part of their Still There’s A Glow Tour.
But unbeknownst to them, ahead of their August 19 Houston tour stop at White Oak Music Hall, Sweet Pill found themselves thrust into a contentious political battle. On August 5, the same venue was used by Republican nominee and current Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign fundraising event.
Upset by the news, Sweet Pill fans urged the band to find another place to have the show.
Shortly after the calls to boycott began to circulate online, Sweet Pill took to Instagram to announce they were moving the show to Bad Astronaut.
“It has come to our attention that our Houston venue, White Oak Music Hall, held an event for Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, and you guessed it – a far-right piece of sh*t,” wrote the band. “This goes against everything we stand for and have made the decision to MOVE (not cancel) our show to @bad.astronaut.”
As documented by The New York Times and The Barbed Wire, Attorney General Paxton has been named in several controversies throughout his nearly twenty-year political career. His public remarks on immigration, Muslims, pro-life organizations, and support of President Donald Trump have sown division amongst Texas voters.
They continued, “Sweet Pill is for everybody except for the fascists in power. Tickets for WOMH have been refunded; a new ticket link for Bad Astronaut is live on our story and on the venue’s website.”
To close the note, Sweet Pill expressed gratitude to their supporters for understanding their stance and to their team for making the adjustments so quickly.
“We apologize for the inconvenience, but what we stand for comes first,” wrote Sweet Pill. “Huge thank you to our team for making this change happen, see y’all next week ❤️.”
With Sweet Pill’s stance on Attorney General Paxton clear, they then used this moment to platform a local organization whose advocacy they do support.
“We’ll be donating to Montrose Grace Place, a Houston-based organization that creates a safe place for vulnerable youths facing homelessness of all sexualities and genders,” penned Sweet Pill. “If you’re able, we encourage you to make a donation as well, link is also on our story.”
Overwhelmingly, Sweet Pill’s online followers and Texas natives flooded the comment section with messages of support.
Fellow independent band Leisure Hour threw their support behind Sweet Pill’s decision. The same night of Attorney General Paxton’s campaign event, the band performed in another area of within the venue. In the comment, Leisure Hour seemingly expressed displeasure after being surprised by the double booking.
“We played upstairs when this happened,” wrote guitarist and vocalist Isaiah Neal. “And I called out what was going on!! Sh*t is terrible, but y’all made the right move.”
However, some users called out Sweet Pill, claiming they were only adding to the state’s heightened political tension.
“Not everything has to be a political statement, y’all,” wrote one user. “This is why there is division and violence. Polarizing an event space that anyone and everyone can use because a Republican rented out the space is just asinine.”
At this time, neither White Oak Music Hall nor Attorney General Ken Paxton has released a response to Sweet Pill’s statement. But Montrose Grace Place did comment on the Instagram upload, thanking Sweet Pill for their support.
Sweet Pill’s album, Still There’s A Glow, is out now via Hopeless Records. Click here to stream or order. Continue below to Sweet Pill’s remaining 2026 Still There’s A Glow…Again Tour dates and poster.
Sweet Pill’s 2026 Still There’s A Glow…Again Tour Dates
08/17/2026 — Dallas, TX @ AM/FM !
08/19/2026 — Houston, TX @ Bad Astronaut !#
08/21/2026 — Austin, TX @ Mohawk !#
08/22/2026 — San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger !#
08/25/2026 — Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater !#
08/27/2026 — Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey !#
08/28/2026 — San Francisco, CA @ August Hall !#%
08/30/2026 — Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater !#
08/31/2026 — Seattle, WA @ Neumos !#
09/03/2026 — Denver, CO @ Oriental !#%
09/05/2026 — Omaha, NE @ Slowdown !#
10/06/2026 — Columbus, OH @ King of Clubs ^&
10/07/2026 — Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall ^&%
10/09/2026 — Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line ^&%
10/11/2026 — Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Annex ^&
10/12/2026 — Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme ^&
10/14/2026 — Buffalo, NY @ Electric City ^&
10/16/2026 — Philadelphia, PA @ Philly Music Fest +
10/17/2026 — Amityville, NY @ Amityville Music Hall ^
11/01/2026 — Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar ^%
11/02/2026 — Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry ^%
11/04/2026 — Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall ^%
11/05/2026 — Asheville, NC @ Revival ^%
11/07/2026 — Gainesville, FL @ The Wooly ^%
11/08/2026 — Orlando, FL @ he Beacham ^%
11/09/2026 — Tampa, FL @ New World ^%
11/11/2026 — Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade ^%
11/12/2026 — Birmingham, AL @ Saturn ^%
11/14/2026 — St. Louis, MO @ Sovereign ^%
11/15/2026 — Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall ^%
11/22/2026 — Cambridge, MA @ Sinclair ^%
+ festival appearance, ! with Deux Visages, # with Bike Routes, % with Stereosity, ^ with Heart to Gold, and & with Spaced
Sweet Pill’s 2026 Still There’s A Glow…Again Tour Poster
